The Ministry of Ecological Transition announced this Friday a financial sanction to the eco-organization of the tobacco products sector “the polluter pays” in order to force it to financially support local authorities for the installation of ashtrays in the street.
“By a decision of November 15, 2023,” the Ministry of Ecological Transition “issued a daily economic sanction decision against the Alcome eco-organization responsible for the prevention and management of cigarette butts on behalf of tobacco producers,” it said in a statement. . Press release.
From 100 to 7,500 euros per day on duty
The amount of this penalty was progressively set at 100 euros per day until the end of November and then at 7,500 euros per day from December 1, “with the aim of encouraging eco-organizations to regularize the situation as soon as possible.”
This decision “follows the refusal of the eco-organization to comply with the requirement issued on June 19, 2023 by the General Directorate of Risk Prevention (DGPR) to present within the assigned deadlines the elements that allow financial support to local authorities to the acquisition and installation of street ashtrays of your choice”.
As prescribed by the European directive on single-use plastics, the law on combating waste and the circular economy of February 2020 created an extended producer responsibility (EPR) sector for cigarette butts, with the in order to reduce the presence of plastics in the environment – particularly the oceans – when smokers throw their cigarette butts on public roads.
According to the “polluter pays” principle, cigarette manufacturers in particular must pay an ecological contribution to Alcome, which finances the collection and disposal of cigarette butts.
Source: BFM TV
